Essendon captain Jobe Watson will miss the next eight to ten weeks of football providing an opportunity for one of the cub’s young midfielders to fill the void.

The coaches may choose to provide more midfield time to current senior players or go to the club’s younger players who have been performing well at VFL level.

We take a look at some of the key midfielders at VFL level this season who are contenders to fill the vacant midfield role.

Nick O’Brien

O’Brien has been a consistent performed for the Bombers VFL team over the last two seasons including five games at AFL level. A big bodied midfielder he has great endurance with the ability to out run majority of his opponents throughout a game. Has the flexibility to move forward if called upon with the smarts to use his skills to create opportunity in front of the big sticks.

Elliott Kavanagh

Kavanagh is beginning to string some strong football together at VFL level and has pushed for AFL selection over the last few rounds being named emergency against the Giants. He continues to show his class when using the ball and is a smart decision maker moving forward. Kavanagh has played four matches at AFL level since being selected with the club’s first round pick in the 2011 national draft.

Travis Colyer

If speed is what the team is looking for then Colyer is the man. He is the quickest player on the club’s list with the ability to keep up with most players in the competition. He has played 35 games at AFL level since his debut and if he can stay composed with ball in hand could be a lethal tool for the Bombers midfield. Continues to show his dominance at VFL level this season with a number of strong performances in recent weeks.

Kurt Aylett

A man of persistence Aylett forced his way into the AFL side in Round 8 this season after being traded to the club for Greater Western Sydney. A defensive midfielder with the ability to win his own ball Aylett did not look out of place during his two matches at the top level this season. Is consistently among the best performers for the club’s VFL team and may once again be called upon to do a job at senior level.

Leroy Jetta

Despite having played just two games at AFL level this season the live wire midfielder/forward has continued to show strong form at VFL level. His speed is among the best at the club and he has the ability to be smart with the ball heading inside forward 50. Jetta is another who has shown consistent form throughout this season and will be waiting for an opportunity if called upon.

Give us your opinion on how the club should cover for the loss of Jobe in the midfield below.